HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-27 Ordinance 5231Ordinance No. 5231
Ordinance of the Council of the City of Palo Alto Adopting New Chapter
18.15 (Residential Density Bonus) of Title 18 (Zoning) ofthe Palo Alto
Municipal Code to Implement Government Code Section 65915
The Counc~1 of the City of Palo Alto does ORDAIN as follows:
SECTION 1. Findings and Recitals. The Council of the City of Palo Alto finds and
declares as follows:
A. The State Density Bonus Law (Section 65915 of the Government Code)
was first adopted in 1979. The law allows developers who offer affordable units in their
developments a density bonus above what the zoning ordinance would typically allow.
Originally, developers received a density bonus of 25% if they met the density bonus
requirements.
B. In 2004, the State Legislature passed SB 1818, which significantly
amended Section 65915 of the Government Code. The significant changes to the law,
effective on January 1, 2005, included:
• A higher maximum market-rate unit density bonus of 35% for a lower
percentage of affordable units provided;
• A sliding scale of market-rate density bonus percentages from 20%-35%
depending on the percentage of affordable units provided;
• Provision for up to three (3) development concessions or incentives,
depending on the percentage of affordable units provided;
• Granting the developer a density bonus if they donate land for very low
income housing; and
• Required jurisdictions to implement Density Bonus law through
local codes.
C. In the past, the City has applied the Density Bonus law on an ad hoc basis
to both market rate and affordable developments. Palo Alto Family Apartments,
located at 801 Alma Street and developed by Eden Housing, is a 50 unit affordable
rental development. Eden requested concessions to encroach into the required
setbacks, exceed the maximum floor area ratio (FAR) and to not provide private useable
open space. The development at 195 Page Mill Road also requested concessions to
allow residential uses in the General Manufacturing (GM) zoning district and to exceed
the maximum FAR in return for providing 17 affordable housing units (20% ofthe total
units).
D. The 2007-2014 Housing Element Update inc'udes a program (Program
3.1.10) requiring that a density bonus ordinance be adopted that is consistent with
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Government Code 65915. Staff anticipates that density bonus will be an important tool
to help the City accommodate its Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) numbers.
SECTION 2. Chapter 18.15 (Residential Density Bonus) of Title 18 (Zoning) of the
Palo Alto Municipal Code is hereby added to read as follows:
Sections: '
18.15.010
18.15.020
18.15.030
18.15.040
18.15.050
18.15.060
18.15.070
18.15.080
18.15.090
18.15.100
18.15.010
Chapter 18.15
Residential Density Bonus
Purpose
Definitions
Density Bonuses
Development Standards for Affordable Units
Development Concessions and Incentives
Waiver/Modification of Development Standards
Child Care Facilities
Application Requirements
Review Procedures
Regulatory Agreement
Purpose
The purpose of this chapter is to:
(a) Comply with the state density bonus law under California Government Code
section 65915.
(b) Establish procedures for implementing state density bonus requirements as set
forth in California Government Code Section 65915, as amended.
(c) Facilitate the development of affordable housing consistent with the goals,
objectives, and policies ofthe City's Comprehensive Plan Housing Element.
18.15.020 Definitions
Whenever the following terms are used in this Chapter, they shall have the meaning
established by this section:
(a) "Affordable Rent" means monthly rent, including a reasonable allowance for
utilities and all fees for housing services, for rental Restricted Affordable Units reserved for
Very Low or Lower Income Households, that does not exceed the following:
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(i) Very Low Income: 50 percent of the area median income for Santa Clara
County, adjusted for presumed household size, multiplied by 30 percent
and divided by 12.
(ii) Lower Income: 60 percent of the area median income for Santa Clara
County, adjusted for presumed household size, multiplied by 30 percent
and divided by 12.
(b) "Affordable Sales Price" means the maximum sales price at which Very Low,
Lower and Moderate Income Households can qualify for the purchase of Restricted Affordable
Units as set forth in the City of Palo Alto's Below Market Rate Housing Program. The sales price
shall be considered affordable only if it is based on a reasonable down payment, and monthly
housing payments (including interest, principal, mortgage insurance, property taxes and
assessments, fire and casualty insurance, homeowners association fees, property maintenance
and repairs, and a reasonable allowance for utilitiesL all as determined by the City, that are
equal to or less than:
(i) Very Low Income: 50 percent of the area median income for Santa Clara
County, adjusted for presumed household size, multiplied by 30 percent
and divided by 12.
(ii) Lower Income: 80 percent of the area median income for Santa Clara
County, adjusted for presumed household size, multiplied by 30 percent
and divided by 12.
(iii) Moderate Income: 120 percent of the area median income for Santa Clara
County, adjusted for presumed household size, multiplied by 30 percent
and divided by 12.
(c) "Applicant" means any person, firm, partnership, association, joint venture,
corporation, or any entity or combination of entities who seeks Development permits or
approvals from the City of Palo Alto.
(d) "Approval Authority" means the person or body that is authorized to approve a
Development as specified in the City of Palo Alto Municipal Code. Approval Authority shall also
include recommending bodies such as the Architectural Review Board and the Planning and
Transportation Commission.
(e) "Below Market Rate Housing Program" means Chapter 18.14 ofthe Palo Alto
Municipal Code and the Administrative Guidelines for the Below Market Rate Program.
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(f) "Child Care Facility" means a child day care facility other than a family day care
home, including, but not limited to, infant centers, preschools, extended day care facilities, and
school age child care centers.
(g) "Concession or Incentive" as used interchangeably means such regulatory
concessions as specified in Government Code Section 65915(k) to include:
(i) A reduction of site Development Standards or architectural design
requirements which exceed the minimum applicable building standards
approved by the State Building Standards Commission pursuant to Part 2.5
(commencing with Section 18901) of Division 13 of the Health and Safety
Code, including, but not limited to, a reduction in setback, coverage, and/or
parking requirements which result in identifiable, financially sufficient and
actual cost reductions;
(ii) Allowing mixed use development in conjunction with the proposed
residential development, if nonresidential land uses will reduce the cost of
the residential project and the nonresidential land uses are compatible
with the residential project and existing or planned development in the
area where the Development will be located; and
(iii) Other regulatory Concessions proposed by the applicant or the City which
result in identifiable financially sufficient, and actual cost reductions.
(h) "Density Bonus" means a density increase over the Maximum Residential
Density granted pursuant to Government Code Section 65915 and this Ordinance.
(i) "Density Bonus Units" means those dwelling units granted pursuant to the
provisions of this Chapter which exceed the otherwise Maximum Residential Density for the
development site.
(j) "Development" means all developments pursuant to ,a proposal to construct or
place five (5) or more additional dwelling units on a lot or contiguous lots including, without
limitation, a planned unit development, site plan, subdivision, or conversion of a non-
residential building to dwelling units.
(k) "Development Standard" means a site or construction condition such as a
height limitation, a setback, or a floor-area ratio, that applies to a Development pursuant to any
ordinance, general plan element, specific plan, charter, or other City condition, law, policy,
resolution, or regulation. A "site and construction condition" is a development regulation or
law that specifies the physical development of a site and buildings on the site in a
Development.
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(I) "Discretionary Permit" means any permit issued for the Development which
requires the exercise of judgment or deliberation from the Approval Authority, including but
not limited to conditional use permits, variances, site plans, design review, planned
development permits, general and specific plan approvals and amendments, zoning
amendments, and tentative and parcel maps.
(m) "Lower, Very Low, or Moderate Income" means annual income of a household
that does not exceed the maximum income limits for the income category, as adjusted for
household size, applicable to Santa Clara County, as published and periodically updated by the
State Department of Housing and Community Development pursuant to Sections 50079.5,
SOlOS, or .50093 of the California Health and Safety Code.
(n) "Maximum Residential Density" means the maximum number of dwelling units
permitted in the Development by the City's Comprehensive Plan Land Use Element and Zoning
Ordinance at the time of application, excluding the provisions of this Chapter. If the maximum
density allowed by the Zoning Ordinance is inconsistent with the density allowed by the Land
Use Element of the City'S Comprehensive Plan, the Land Use Element density shall prevail.
(0) "Non-Restricted Unit" means all dwelling units within a Development excluding
the Restricted Affordable Units.
(p) "Qualifying Mobilehome Park" means a mobilehome park that limits residency
based on age requirements for housing older persons pursuant to Section 798.76 and 799.5 of
the Civil Code.
(q) "Qualifying Resident" means senior citizens or other persons eligible to reside in
a Senior Citizen Housing Development or Qualifying Mobilehome Park.
(r) "Regulatory A~reement" means a recorded and legally binding agreement
between an applicant and the City to ensure that the requirements of this Chapter are satisfied.
The Regulatory Agreement, among other things, shall establish: the number of Restricted
Affordable Units, their size, location, terms and conditions of affordability, and production
schedule.
(s) "Restricted Affordable Unit" means a dwelling unit within a Development which
will be available at an Affordable Rent or Affordabl.e Sales Price for sale or rent to Very Low,
Lower or Moderate Income households.
(t) "Senior Citizen Housing Development" means a Development consistent with
the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (Government Code Section 12900 et. seq.,
including 12955.9 in particular), which has been "designed to meet the physical and social
needs of senior citizens," and which otherwise qualifies as "housing for older persons" as that
phrase is used in the federal Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-430) and
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implementing regulations (24 CFR, part 100, subpart E), and as that phrase is used in California
Civil Code Section 51.2 and 51.3.
18.15.030 Density Bonuses
This Section describes the Density Bonuses that will be provided, at the request of an
applicant, when that applicant provides Restricted Affordable Units as described below.
. (a) The City shall grant a 20 percent (20%) Density Bonus when an applicant
for a Development offive (5) or more dwelling units seeks and agrees to construct at least any
one of the following in accordance with the requirements of this Section and Government Code
Section 65915:
(i) At least 10 percent (10%) of the total dwelling units of the Development as
Restricted Affordable Units affordable to Lower Income Households. For
each one percent (1%) increase in the percentage of restricted Lower
Income units, a Development will receive an additional one and one-half
percent (1.5%) density bonus up to thirty-five percent (35%) of the
Maximum Residential Density; or
(ii) At least five percent (5%) of the total dwelling units of the Development as
Restricted Affordable Units affordable to Very Low Income Households.
For each one percent (1%) increase in the percentage of restricted Very
Low Income units, a Development will receive an additional two and one-
half percent (2.5%) density bonus up to thirty-five percent (35%) of the
. Maximum Residential Density; or
(iii) A Senior Citizen Housing Development; or
(iv) A Qualifying Mobilehome Park.
(b) The City shall grant a five percent (5%) Density Bonus when an applicant for a
Development of five (5) or more additional dwelling units seeks and agrees to construct, in
accordance with the requirements of this Section and Government Code Section 65915, at least
10 percent (10%) of the total dwelling units in a common interest development as defined in
California Civil Code Section 4100 for Moderate Income Households, provided that all dwelling
units in the Development are offered to the public for purchase. For each one percent (1%)
increase in the percentage of restricted Moderate Income units, a Development will re.ceive an
additional one percent (1%) density bonus up to thirty-five percent (35%) ofthe Maximum
Residential Density.
(c) No additional Density Bonus shall be authorized for a Senior Citizen
Development or Qualifying Mobilehome Park beyond the Density Bonus authorized by
subsection (a) of this Section.
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(d) When calculating the number of permitted Density Bonus Units, any fractions of
units shall be rounded to the next highest number. An applicant may elect to receive a Density
Bonus that is less than the amount permitted by this Section; however, the City shall not be
required to similarly reduce the number of Restricted Affordable Units required to be dedicated
pursuant to this Section and Government Code Section 65915(b).
(e) Each Development is entitled to only one Density Bonus, which shall be selected
by the applicant based on the percentage of Very Low Restricted Affordable Units, Lower
Income Restricted Affordable Units, or Moderate Income Restricted Affordable Units, or the
Development's status as a Senior Citizen Housing Development or Qualifying Mobilehome Park.
Density bonuses from more than one category may not be combined. In no case shalla
Development be entitled to a Density Bonus of more than thirty-five percent (35%).
(f) The Density Bonus Units shall not be included when determining the number of
Restricted Affordable Units required to qualify for a Density Bonus. When calculating the
required number of Restricted Affordable Units, any resulting decimal fraction shall be rounded
to the next larger integer.
(g) Any Restricted Affordable Unit provided pursuant to the City's Below Market
Rate Housing Program shall be included when determining the number of Restricted Affordable
Units required to qualify for a Density Bonus or other entitlement under this Chapter.
However, the payment of a housing impact or in lieu fee shall not qualify for a Density Bonus or
other entitlement under this Chapter.
(h) Certain other types of development activities are specifically eligible for a
Density Bonus pursuant to State law:
(i) A Development may be eligible for a Density Bonus in return for land
donation pursuant to the requirements set forth in Government Code
Section 65915(g).
(ii) A condominium conversion may be eligible for a Density Bonus or
Concession pursuant to the requirements set forth in Government Code
Section 65915.5.
(i) As provided in Section 18.15.080(c), development proposed with rezoning to the
Planned Community zone district are entitled to densities approved as part ofthe rezoning and
shall not be entitled to a density bonus in addition to the units entitled by the rezone.
(j) Notwithstanding any provision of this Chapter, all Developments must satisfy all
applicable requirements of the City's Below Market Rate Housing Program, which may impose
requirements for Restricted Affordable Units in addition to those required to receive a Density
Bonus or Concessions.
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Table 1 summarizes the density bonus provisions described in this Section.
Table 1
Density Bonus Summary Table
Additional Percentage
Bonus for of Restricted
Each 1% Units
Minimum Percentage Increase in Required for
Percentage of of Density Restricted' Maximum
Restricted Affordable Restricted Bonus Affordable 35% Density
Units or Category Affordable Units Granted Units Bonus
Very Low Income 5% 20% 2.50% 11%
Lower Income 10% 20% 1.50% 20%
Moderate Income 10% 5% 1% 40%
Senior Citizen Housing 100% 20% ------------
Qualifying Mobile Park 100% 20% ------------
Note: A density bonus may be selected from only one category up to a maximum of 35% of the Maximum
Residential Density.
18.15.040 Development Standards for Affordable Units
(a) Restricted Affordable Units shall be constructed concurrently with Non-
'Restricted Units unless both the City and the applicant agree within the Regulatory Agreement
to an alternative schedule for development.
(b) Moderate Income Restricted Affordable Units ~hall remain restricted and
affordable to the designated income group for a minimum period of 59 years (or a longer
period of time if required by the construction or mortgage financing assistance program,
mortgage insurance program, or rental subsidy program). Very Low and Lower Restricted
Affordable Units shall remain restricted and affordable to the designated income group for a
period of 30 years for both rental and for-sale units (or a longer period of time if required by a
construction or mortgage financing assistance program, mortgage insurance program, or rental
subsidy program).
(c) In determining the maximum Affordable Rent or Affordable Sales Price of
Restricted Affordable Units, the presumed household size as set forth in the City's Below
Market Rate Housing Program shall be used, unless the Development is subject to different
assumptions imposed by other governmental regulations.
(d) Restricted Affordable Units shall be built on-site and be dispersed within the
Development, except as permitted in subsection (e) of this Section. The number of bedrooms of
the Restricted Affordable Units shall be equivalent to the bedroom mix of the Non-Restricted
Units in the Development; except that the applicant may include a higher proportion of
Restricted Affordable Units with more bedrooms. The design, square footage, appearance and
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general quality of the Restricted Affordable Units shall be compatible with the design of the
Non-Restricted Units in the Development. The Development shall comply with all applicable
Development Standards, except those which may be modified as provided by this Chapter.
(e) A Regulatory Agreement, as described in Section 18.15.100, shall be made a
condition of the Discretionary Permits for all Developments pursuant to this Chapter. The
Regulatory Agreement s.hall be recorded as a restriction on the Development. The Regulatory
Agreement shall be consistent with the City's Below Market Rate Housing program guidelines.
18.15.050 Development Concessions and Incentives
This Section includes provisions for providing Concessions or Incentives pursuant to
Government Code Section 65915.
(a) By Right Parking Incentives. Upon request by the applicant, a Development that
is eligible for a Density Bonus may provide parking as provided in this subsection (a), consistent
with Government Code Section 65915(p), inclusive of handicapped and guest parking:
(i) Zero to one bedroom unit: one on-site parking space;
(ii) Two to three bedroom unit: two on-site parking spaces;
(iii) Four or more bedroom unit: two and one-half parking spaces.
If the total number of spaces required results in a fractional number, it shall be rounded
up to the next whole number. For purposes of this subsection, this parking may be provided
through tandem parking or uncovered parking, but not through on-street parking.
(b) Other Incentives and Concessions. A Development is eligible for other
Concessions or Incentives as follows:
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(i) One Concession or Incentive for a Development that makes at least ten
percent (10%) of the total dwelling units affordable to Lower Lncome
households; or at least five percent (5%) of the total dwelling units
affordable to Very Low Income households; or at least ten percent (10%) of
the total dwelling units affordable to Moderate Income households in a
common interest development.
(ii) Two Concessions or Incentives for a Development that makes at least
twenty percent (20%) of the total dwelling units affordable to Lower
Income households; or at least ten percent (10%) of the total dwelling units
affordable to Very Low Income households; or at least twenty percent
(20%) of the total dwelling units affordable to Moderate Income
households in a common interest development.
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Rev. January 13, 2014
(v) Reduction in daylight plane requirements not to exceed 25% ofthe length
of the adjacent lot line, so long as the intrusion is consistent with· applicable
design standards and guidelines, unless adjacent to R-1, R-2, RMD and
other low density residential zones;
(vi) Up to fifty percent (50%) increase over the maximum site coverage
requirement or up to the square footage of the Restricted Affordable Units,
whichever is less;
(d) The setbacks referenced in this Section shall not include Special Setbacks as defined
in Section 20.08.020.
(e) The setbacks referenced in this Section shall only apply to the residential portion of
any mixed use (residential and non-residential) development where it is feasible to
setback portions of the development differently.
(f) Nothing in this Chapter shall. be construed to require the provision of direct
financial Concessions for the Development, including the provision of publicly owned land by
the City or the waiver offees or dedication requirements.
18.15.060 Waiver/Modification of Development Standards
An applicant may apply for a waiver or modification of Development Standards that will
have the effect of physically precluding the construction of a Development at the densities or
with the Concessions or Incentives permitted by this Chapter. The developer must demonstrate
that Development Standards that are requested to be waived or modified will have the effect of
physically precluding the construction of a Development meeting the criteria of subsection (a)
of Section 18.15.030 at the densities or with the Concessions or Incentives permitted by this
Chapter.
18.15.070 Child Care Facilities
(a) When an applicant proposes to construct a Development that is eligible for a
Density Bonus under Section 18.15.030 and includes a child care facility that will be located on
the premises of, as part of, or adjacent to, the Development, the City shall grant either:
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(i) An additional density bonus that is an amount of square feet of residential
space that is equal to or greater than the square footage of the child care
facility; or
(ii) An additional Concession or Incentive that contributes significantly to the
economic feasibility of the construction of the child care facility.
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(iv) If a Concession or Incentive is requested, a brief explanation as to the
actual cost reduction achieved through the Concession or Incentive and
how the cost reduction allows the applicant to provide the Restricted
Affordable Units.
(v) If a waiver or modification is requested, a brief explanation of why the
Development Standard would physically preclude the construction of the
Development with the Density Bonus, Incentives, and Concessions
requested.
(vi) Site plan showing location of market-rate units, Restricted Affordable
Units, and Density Bonus units within the proposed Development;
(vii) Level of affordability of the Restricted Affordable Units and proposed
method to ensure affordability;
(viii) For Concessions and Incentives that are not included within the menu of
Incentives/Concessions set forth in subsection (c) of Section 18.15.050, the
application requires the submittal of the project proforma to the Director,
providing evidence that th.e requested Concessions and Incentives result in
identifiable, financially sufficient, and actual cost reductions. The cost of
reviewing the project proforma, including, but not limited to, the cost to
the City of hiring a consultant to review the financial data, shall be borne by
the applicant. The proforma information shall include all of the following
items:
(A) The actual cost reduction achieved through the Concession;
(B) Evidence that the cost reduction allows the applicant to provide
affordable rents or affordable sales prices; and
(C) Other information requested by the Planning Director. The
Planning Director may require additional financial information
include information regarding capital costs, equity investment,
debt service, projected revenues, operating expenses, and such
other information as is required to evaluate the financial
information;
(ix) If a waiver or modification of a Development Standard is requested, the.
applicant shall provide evidence that the Development Standard for which
the waiver is requested will have the effect of physically precluding the
construction of the Development with the Density Bonus and Concessions
requested;
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(x) If a Density Bonus or Concession is requested for a land donation, the
application shall show the location of the land to be dedicated, provide
proof of site control, and provide evidence that all of the requirements and
each of the findings included in Government Code Section 65915(g) can be
made;
(xi) If a density bonus or Concession is requested for a child care fac;ility, the
application shall show the location and square footage of the child care
facilities and provide evidence that all of the requirements and each of the
findings included in Government Code Section 65915(h) can be made.
(xii) If a Density Bonus or Concession is requested for a condominium
conversion, the applicant shall provide evidence that all of the
requirements found in Government Code Section 65915.5 can be met.
(b) In accordance with state law, neither the granting of a Concession, Incentive,
waiver, modification, or revised parking standard, nor the granting of a Density Bonus,
shall be interpreted, in and of itself, to require a general plan amendment, zoning
change, variance, or other discretionary approval.
(c) The Planned Community (PC) zone district is intended to accommodate
developments requiring flexibility under controlled conditions not attainable under
other zoning districts. Because of the flexible nature of the PC zone, which determines
site specific requirements including density,the Chapter does not apply to this zoning
district.
(d) This Chapter implements State Density Bonus law. Any Density Bonus, Incentive,
Concession, revised parking standard, waiver, or modification sought by an Applicant
shall be made pursuant to this Chapter and may not be combined with similar requests
under State Density Bonus law.
18.15.090 Review Procedures
An application for a Density Bonus, Incentive, Concession, waiver, modification or
revised parking standard shall be acted upon by the Approval Authority concurrently with the
application for the first Discretionary Permit. The granting of a Density Bonus shall not be
deemed approval of the entire Project or approval of any subsequent discretionary permit.
(a) Before approving an application for a Density Bonus, Incentive, Concession,
waiver, modification or revised parking standard, the Approval Authority shall make the
following findings, as applicable:
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(i) The Development is eligible for the Density Bonus and any Concessions,
waivers, modifications, or revised parking standards requested.
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Rev. January 13,2014
(ii) Any requested Concession or Incentive will result in identifiable, financially
sufficient, and actual cost reductions based upon the financial analysis and
documentation provided. The City finds that the Concessions and
Incentives included in Section 18.50.050(c) will result in identifiable,
financially sufficient, and actual cost reductions.
(iii) If the Density Bonus is based all or in part on donation of land, a finding
that all the requirements included in Government Code Section 65915(g)
have been met. .
(iv) If the Density Bonus, Concession or Incentive is based all or in part on the
inclusion of a child care facility, a finding that all the requirements included
in Government Code Section 65915(h) have been met.
(v) If the Concession or Incentive includes mixed-use development, a finding
that all the requirements included in Government Code Section 65915(k)(2)
have been met.
(vi) If a waiver or modification is requested, a finding that the Development
Standards for which the waiver is requested would have the effect of
physically precluding the construction of the Development with the Density
Bonus and Concessions permitted.
(b) Any granted Density Bonus and/or Concession(s) shall terminate with the
demolition, destruction or other removal of the structure receiving the Density
Bonus and/or Concession.
(c) If the findings required by subsection (a) of this Section cannot be made, the
Approval Authority may deny an application for a Concession, Incentive, waiver or modification
only if it makes one ofthe following written findings, supported by substantial evidence:
140113 jb 0131158
(i) The Concession, Incentive, waiver or modification is not required to
provide for Affordable Rents or Affordable Sales Prices; or
(ii) The Concession,lncentive, waiver or modification would have a specific,
adverse impact upon public health or safety or the physical environment or
on real property listed in the California Register of Historic Resources, and
·there is no feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific
adverse impact without rendering the Development unaffordable to Low
and Moderate Income households. For the purpose of this subsection,
"specific adverse impact" means a significant, quantifiable, direct, and
unavoidable impact, based on objective, identified, written public health or
safety standards, policies, or conditions as they existed on the date that the
application for the Development was deemed complete; or
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Rev. January 13, 2014
(iii) The Concession, Incentive, waiver or modification is contrary to state or
federal law.
(c) If the Approval Authority is not the City Council, any decision denying a Density
Bonus, Incentive, Concession, waiver, modification or revised parking standard may be
appealed to the City Council within fourteen days of the date of the decision.
18.15.100 Regulatory Agreement
(a) Applicants for a Density Bonus, Incentive, Concession, waiver, modification or
revised parking standard shall enter into a Regulatory Agreement with the City. The terms of
the draft agreement shall be approved as to form by the City Attorney and reviewed and
revised as appropriate by the Director of Planning and Community Environment, who shall
formulate a recommendation to the Approval Authority for final approval.
(b) Following execution ofthe agreement by all parties, the completed Density
Bonus Regulatory Agreement, or memorandum thereof, shall be recorded and the conditions
filed and recorded on the Development.
(c) The approval of the Regulatory Agreement shall take place prior to tentative
map approval, and recordation shall take place prior to final map approval, or, where a map is
not being processed, prior to approval of the final Discretionary Permit. The Regulatory
Agreement shall be binding to all future owners a'nd successors in interest.
(d) The Regulatory Agreement shall be consistent with the guidelines ofthe City's
Below Market Rate Program and shall include at a minimum the following:
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(i) The total number of dwelling units approved for the Development,
including the number of Restricted Affordable Units;
(ii) A description of the household income group to be accommodated by the
Restricted Affordable Units, and the standards for determining the
corresponding Affordable Rent or Affordable Sales Price;
(iii) The location, dwelling unit sizes (square feet), and number of bedrooms of
the Restricted Affordable Units;
(iv) Term of use restrictions for Restricted Affordable Units of at least 59 years
for Moderate Income units and at I'east 30 years for Low and Very Low
units;
(v) A schedule for completion and occupancy of Restricted Affordable Units;
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(vi) A description of any Concession, Incentive, waiver, modification, or revised
parking standard, if any, being provided by the City;
(vii) A description of remedies for breach of the agreement (the City may
identify tenants or qualified purchasers as third party beneficiaries under
the agreement); and
(viii) Other provisions to ensure implementation and compliance with this
Section.
SECTION 3. CEQA. The proposed Ordinance revises the requirements for
granting a residential density bonus to complywith revisions to Government Code Section
65915 enacted by the Legislature through the adoption of Senate Bill 1818. Adoption of the
draft density bonus codifies allowances that developers have been able to use in housing
developments since 2005. Further, the revisions modify the criteria and incentives offered to
qualifying developments but do not authorize construction not already permitted under the
City's existing codes. Also, it is uncertain how many project applicants will seek to utilize the
provisions of State law and this Ordinance and where such projects might be located in the City.
Further, each individual project will be subject to its own environmental review. Consequently,
this ordinance is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA) pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of Title 14 ofthe California Code of Regulations since it
can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility the adoption and implementation of this
Ordinance may have a significant effect on the environment.
SECTION 4. Severability. If any provision, clause, sentence or paragraph of this
ordinance, or the application to any person or circumstances, shall be held invalid, such
invalidity shall not affect the other provisions of this Ordinance which can be given effect
without the invalid provision or application and, to this end, the provisions of this Ordinance
are hereby declared to be severable.
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140113 jb 0131158 Rev. January 13, 2014